Outboard motor bracket assembly providing vertical adjustment of the motor unit



April 6, 1954 E. c, KIEKHAEFER 2,574,219

OUTBOARD MOTOR BRACKET ASSEMBLY PROVIDING VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT OF THEMOTOR UNIT Filed Sept. 1, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

April 6, 1954 E. c. KIEKHAEFER 2,674,219 OUTBOARD MOTOR BRACKET ASSEMBLYPROVIDING VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT OF THE MOTOR UNIT Filed Sept. 1, 1951 5Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR.

\ Aprll 1954 E. c. KIEKHAEFER 2,574,219

OUTBOARD MOTOR BRACKET ASSEMBLY PROVIDING VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT OF THEMOTOR UNIT Filed Sept. 1, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

jfl/ornew Patented Apr. 6, 1 954 OUTBOARD MOTOR BRACKET ASSEMBLYPROVIDING VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT OF THE MOTOR UNIT Elmer O. Kiekhaefer,'Cedarburg, Wis.

Application September 1, 1951, Serial No. 244,799

Claims. (Cl. 115-18) This invention relates to outboard motors for boatsand particularly to means for raising and lowering the motor to disposethe propeller at various depths in the water.

The invention provides hydraulic means operable from within the boat forraising and lowering the motor while driving the boat withoutinterruption.

A principal object of the invention is to provide for the verticaladjustment of the propeller while the boat is in operation as in thecourse of a race.

A further object is to provide an improved motor support bracket for theraising and lowering of the motor unit relative to the boat whereby themotor may be adjusted to accommodate boats having transoms of differentheights for normal operation and to raise the motor unit for operatingin shallow water or in weed beds.

Another object is to provide a support bracket for the motor unit whichwill allow tilting of the motor unit relative to the bracket toaccommodate transoms of different angles and allow the motor to beadjusted to different angles and raised and lowered for the desiredoperation.

Another object is to vary the efiective thrust of the propeller byvarying the depth of the propeller in the water.

Another object is to provide for tilting of the motor and steeringmovement on transverse and vertical axes, respectively, and raising andlowering of the motor without additional brackets.

These and other objects and advantages will be more fully set forth inthe following description of apreferred embodiment of the invention asillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a boat and outboard motor with thelatter in the lower position so that the propeller is entirely submergedand a substantial distance beneath the water line;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the motor raised so thatthe propeller is only partially submerged;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the boat and motor shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the lower part of the motor unit in thelowered position with parts of the motor and the clamp bracket andswivel bracket broken away and sectioned, and includes a diagrammaticillustration of the hand pump, control valve, and oil reservoir which iscarried in the boat and connected to the motor for raising and loweringthe latter;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing th motor unit in the fullyraised position; and

Fig. 6 is a cross-section through the body of the valve shown in Fig. 4and showing the valve in open position for lowering the motor unit.

The outboard motor unit I shown in the drawings includes the engine 2which is generally enclosed by the cowl 3. The drive shaft housing 4 ofthe motor comprises a unitary, cast hollow member having a planiformupper face 5 supporting engine 2 and extends therefrom downwardly intothe water. The underwater member 6 is secured by bolts including thebolt 1 as shown to the lower end of drive shaft housing 4 and carriesthe propeller 8 for propulsion of the boat 9 to which the motor issecured. Propeller 8 includes a series of blades H) of a given pitch andis driven by engine 2 by means of the drive shaft ll extending from theengine through housing 4 to member 6.

The outboard motor unit I is secured by the bracket assembly 12 to thetransom l3 of the boat 9 to drive the latter and is removable from theboat for transporting separately thereof.

. Motor unit I is adjustable relative to the bracket assembly l2 wherebythe motor unit may be adapted for use with other boats, not shown, or

different dimensions, and according to the present invention isvertically adjustable to allow further for operation of the motor unitwith the same boat under varying conditions for maximum speed andeiiiciency of engine 2 and propeller 8.

Bracket assembly 12 includes the pair of spaced I clamps I4 fitted withthe clamp screws l5 for tightening and securing the clamps over theholesof both clamps selectively disposed to limit the pivotal movement ofbracket I! on pin I6.

The hollow sleeve 20 is carried by bracket I! which is normally adjustedas described so that the sleeve is substantially vertical and carried bybracket 16 rearwardly thereof. The lower end of sleeve 20 extends asubstantial distance'beneath the bracket and is threaded at the lower 4end to receive the fitting 21. The rod 22 within sleeve 20 projectsabove bracket ll and the upper end of sleeve 20 and is threaded at its 1upper end to receive the collar 23 and the cap 24.

The motor unit I is supported on bracket I6 by the upper and lower lugs25 and 26 respectively fitting over the upper end of rod 22 and lowerportion of sleeve 29. Lugs 25 and 26 are cast integrally with theforward edge of housing 4 and are internally formed to receive thebushings 21. Each bushing 21 comprises inner and outer brass ferrules 28and 29, respectively and the intermediate rubber cushion material 3tbonded therebetween. The upper bushing 21 in upper lug 25 is mounted oncollar 23 and cap 24 and supports the motor thereon. The lower bushing21 in lug 26 is slidably mounted over the lower end of sleeve whichlatter projects through the lug and with th upper bushing 2? in lugresiliently secures the motor with respect to bracket it of the bracketassembly to absorb the vibration of engine 2.

Steering of the boat is provided for by turning motor unit I on thevertical axis of sleeve 20 which changes the direction of thrust ofpropeller 8. For steering, rod 22 is allowed to turn with motor unit Ion the inside of sleeve 28 and the bushing 2? in lug 26 is free to turnon the outside of sleeve 20 with the motor unit.

According to the invention, motor unit l is supported for verticaladjustment relative to bracket assembly l2 by axial movement of rod 22within sleeve 20 and lower bushing 21 on the outside of sleeve20.

Rod 22 is provided with the ring seal 3i at the lower end thereof and isdimensioned to fit and operate as a piston within the interiorly formedbore 32 of sleeve 22 which with fitting 2i forms a cylinder for thepiston.

A limited portion of rod 22 above seals 3% be relieved as at 33 toprevent binding of rod 22 in bore 32.

Rod 22 is lifted within bore 32 by fluid pres sure which is suppliedbelow rod 22 to sleeve 25 through the hose 34 connected to fitting 2iThe motor unit is supported relative to bracket assembly I2 by the fluidin sleeve 22 at the height which disposes propeller 8 at the level ordepth desired.

The fluid under pressure is supplied through hose 34 by the positivedisplacement pump 35 and controlled by the valve 36 connected thereto.

The fluid is retained by the reservoir 3! and is supplied through theconduit 38 to valve 32. Valve 36 is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4 inthe position adapted to direct the flow of fluid fromreservoir 37 topump 35 and from pump 35 to hose 3t and sleeve 23 so that, by operatingthe pump, fluid is supplied from the reservoir to the sleeve underpressure as described. Ordinarily, pump 35 will prevent any fiow offluid back to reservoir 37 so that the pump may be relied on to securethe motor unit in the position selected. By turning valve 35 to theposition shown in Fig. 6 hose 34 and conduit 38 are directly connectedallowing the fluid to by-pass pump 35 and return to the reservoir underthe pressure effected by the weight of the motor unit I supported by rod22.

The maximum upper and lower positions are determined by the lengths ofrod 22 and sleeve 20 and the supply of available fluid. Any intermediateposition is allowed by operating pump 35 or valve 36 to raise or lowerthe motor unit.

Where the motor unit is to be used on various boats having transoms ofdifferent heights and angles, full adjustment of the clamp bracketassembly is provided therefor. By tilting the motor on pin iii to thedesired angle and inserting pin 19 in corresponding selected holes l8,sleeve 20 and the motor can be adjusted to accommodate any angularity ofthe transom, within limits. The height of the transom, within limits,may be adjusted for as described by raising or lowering the motor on theaxis of sleeve 20.

Pump 35 and valve 38 are disposed in the boat and readily operated toraise and lower the motor unit while in operation where, as in thecourse of a race changing conditions of load in the boat or of the watermake such adjustments desirable.

In the operation of the motor unit, the depth of propeller 8 in thewater is an important factor in the efficiency or" propeller operation.Varying the depth of the propeller also changes the torque necessary toturn the propeller at a given speed of rotation. Assuming no unfavorablechange in propeller efiioiency, altering the depth of the propeller canbe utilized also to advantage to change the engine torque load and allowthe engine to operate more efficiently or with a higher power output atdifferent rotational speeds.

Rod 22 is turnable in sleeve 26 in any supported position within therange of adjustment provided as described and. allows for steering ofthe boat by turning the motor on the axis of sleeve 20 as with thetiller 39 in any such position.

Various embodiments of the invention may be employed within the scope ofthe following claims. it

I claim:

1. In an outboard motor unit including an engine and a drive shaftconnected thereto, a lower underwater member, a drive shaft housingconnecting said engine and said underwater memher, and a propellercarried by said underwater member and driven by said engine through saiddrive shaft, the combination of a bracket assembly adapted to be securedto the transom of a boat, a cylinder carried by said bracket assemblyand having a closed lower end and an open upper end, a piston secured tosaid motor unit and extending downwardly within said cylinder androtatable and axially movabl therein, means for supplying fluid underpressure to the lower end of said cylinder and supporting the pistontherein and the motor unit thereon, and a lever for turning the motorunit and said piston within said cylinder for effecting the steeringmovement of the motor unit.

2. In an outboard motor unit including an engine and a drive shaftconnected thereto, a lower underwater drive member, a drive shafthousing connecting said engine and said member, and a propeller carriedby said lower member and driven by said engine through said drive shaft,the combination of a bracket assembly adapted. to be secured to thetransom of a boat, a cylindrical sleeve carried by said bracket assemblyand having an open upper end and a free, pro! jectin lower closed end,bearing means extending downwardly within said sleeve and rotatable andaxially movable therein and secured at its upper end to said motor unit,fluid pressure supply means connected to the lower end of said sleeveand supporting said bearing means therein and the motor unit thereon, aguide bearing turnable and slidable on said lower portion of said sleeveand secured to said motor unit, and a lever for turning the motor unitsupported by said bearing means on said sleeve for eiiecting thesteering movement of the motor unit.

3. In an outboard motor unit including an engine and a drive shaftconnected thereto, a

lower underwater drive member, a drive shaft housing connecting saidengine and said drive member, and a propeller carried by said lowermember and driven by said engine through said drive shaft, thecombination of a bracket assembly adapted to be secured to the transomof a boat, a cylindrical sleeve carried by said bracket assembly andhavin an open upper end and a free, projecting lower closed end, bearingmeans extending downwardly within said sleeve and rotatable and axiallymovable therein and secured at its upper end to said motor unit, fluidpressure supply means connected to the lower end of said sleeve andacting against said rod and adapted to raise the motor unit respectingthe bracket assembly, a valve controlling said pressure supply means andproviding for the selective release of pressure within said sleeve toallow lowering of the motor unit respecting the bracket assembly, aguide bearing means turnable and slidable on said lower portion of saidsleeve and secured to said motor unit, and a lever for turning the motorunit supported by said bearing means on said sleeve for effecting thesteering movement of the motor unit.

4. In an outboard motor unit including an engine and a drive shaftconnected thereto, a drive shaft housing supporting said engine, and apropeller supported by said housing and driven by said engine throughsaid drive shaft, the combination of a bracket assembly adapted to besecured to the transom of a boat, a cylinder carried by said bracketassembly and having an open upper end and a projecting unobstructedlower closed end, a piston extending downwardly within said cylinder androtatable and axially movable therein and secured at its upper end tosaid motor unit, fluid pressure supply means connected to the pistontherein and the motor unit thereon, a guide bearing turnable andslidable on the outer lower portion of said cylinder and secured to saidmotor unit, and a lever for turning the motor unit on the axis of saidcylinder for effecting the steering movement of the motor unit.

5. In an outboard motor unit including an engine and a drive shaftconnected thereto, a drive shaft housing supporting said engine, and apropeller supported by said housing and driven by said engine throughsaid drive shaft, the combination of a clamp bracket adapted to besecured to the transom of a boat, a swivel bracket pivotally secured toand supported by said clamp bracket for relative adjustment on atransverse axis, a cylinder carried by said swivel bracket assembly andhaving an open upper end and a projecting unobstructed lower closed end,a piston extending downwardly within said cylinder and rotatable andaxially movable therein and secured at its upper end to said motor unit,fluid pressure supply means connected to the lower end f said cylinderand supporting said piston therein and the motor unit thereon, a guidebearing turnable and slidable on the outer lower portion of saidcylinder and secured to said motor unit, and a lever for turning themotor unit on the axis of said cylinder for effecting the steeringmovement of the motor unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,706,456 Marcus Mar. 26, 1929 2,209,301 Johnson July 23, 19402,465,653 Leterman Mar. 29, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date309,789 Italy July 17, 1933

